Air conditioning system



Dec. 24, 1940. I 5 HAINES 2,225,955

AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM Filed March 5, 1937 Z9 4 I 1 5 4 .Afiy.

Patented Dec. 24, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM Application March 5, 1937, Serial No. 129,207

1'7 Claims.

This invention relates to air conditioning systems in general and more particularly to the control of fresh air and recirculated air supplied to an air conditioning unit.

Air conditioning or cooling systems in general take outside air or re-circulated air or a mixture of both, cool this air and deliver it to an inclosure to maintain the temperature and relative humidity of the enclosure at desired values. In cooling this air a certain percentage of the total heat of the air is removed. If the total heat of the outside air or the re-circulated air or the mixture of both being delivered to the air conditioning unit is relatively high, a relatively large amount of cooling is required to maintain desired conditions in the enclosure. On the other hand, if the total heat of the air supplied to the air conditioning unit is relatively low, less cooling of the air delivered to the enclosures is required. It follows then that it is more economical to select air with the least amount of total heat for delivery to the air conditioning unit. If the total heat of the outdoor air is less than the total heat of the re-circulated air, outdoor air should be utilized for air conditioning purposes. If, on the other hand, the total heat of the outdoor air is more than the total heat of the recirculated air, re-circulated air should be utilized for air conditioning purposes. Total heat of air may be measured in accordance with wet bulb temperature and therefore if the outdoor wet bulb temperature is less than the re-circulated air wet bulb temperature, outdoor air should be utilized and conversely, re-circulated air should be utilized when the wet bulb temperature of the re-circulated air is less than the wet bulb temperature of the outside air.

It is found that the return or re-circulated air of practically all air conditioning systems has a substantially constant wet bulb temperature under practically all conditions. Since the recirculated air wet bulb temperature is substantially constant, a control means responsive solely to the condition of the outdoor air may be utilized for determining whether outside air or re-circulated air should be delivered to the air conditioning unit depending upon whether the wet bulb temperature of the outdoor air is above or below a predetermined value, such as 63 for example.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to measure the outdoor wet bulb temperature and control the fresh air and return air dampers of an air conditioning system in accordance with this outdoor wet bulb temperature so that substantially all return air will be utilized when the outdoor wet bulb temperature is above a given value and to utilize substantially all fresh air when the outdoor wet bulb temperature is below a predetermined value.

The specific manner for accomplishing this 5 mode of operation also forms objects of this invention.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a fresh air damper control of the type specified with a high limit relative humidity control to utilize substantially all return air when the outdoor relative humidity rises above a predetermined high value.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an outdoor dry bulb temperature low limit control so that substantially all return air will be utilized in case the outdoor dry bulb temperature decreases below a given value.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a control system of the type specified wherein the closing movement of the fresh air damper is limited so that the supply of a minimum amount of fresh air is at all times assured to satisfy ventilation requirements. In addition, it is. also an object of this invention to provide a means for completely closing the fresh air damper at will.

A further object of this invention is to utilize a single set of controls as specified for controlling the admission of outside and return air to a plurality of air conditioning units whereby installation and upkeep costs are materially reduced.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the accompanying specification, claims and drawing.

For a further understanding of this invention reference is made to the accompanying single sheet of drawing in which is diagrammatically disclosed the preferred form of this invention.

Reference numeral I 8 designates a space or building to be conditioned. An air conditioning unit for cooling air to be delivered to the space Ill is designated at l l and may include a cooling coil l2. Air is drawn from the air conditioning unit I I by a fan l3 driven by a fan motor l4 and discharged through a supply duct l5 into the space or building to be conditioned. Return air is withdrawn from the space II! by a return air duct I6 entering the air conditioning unit ll. Fresh air is supplied to the air conditioning unit H by means of a fresh air. duct l1.

- Power is supplied to the fan motor H from line wires I9, 20 and 2|, and the supply of power to the fan motor I4 is controlled by a magnetic starter 22 having an operating coil 23. Power is supplied to the operating coil 23 of the magnetic starter 22 from line wires 24 and 25 under the control of a switch 26. When the switch 26 is closed a circuit is completed from the line wire 24 through switch 26, wire 21, operating coil 23, and wire 28 back to the other line wire 25. Completion of this circuit pulls in the magnetic starter and causes operation of the fan motor l4 and consequently the fan l3.

The supply of cooling fluid to the cooling coil l2 may be controlled by a solenoid valve 38. The solenoid valve 38 may be controlled in any suitable manner but for purposes of illustration it is shown as being controlled by a room thermostat generally designated at 3|. The room thermostat 3| may comprise a bellows 32 containing a volatile fluid and operating a mercury switch 34 against the action of a tension spring 33. By suitably adjusting the tension of the spring 33 the temperature setting of the thermostat 3| may be adjusted. Upon an increase in space temperature to a predetermined value the switch 34 is moved to a closed position to complete a circuit from one of the wires leading to the fan motor |4 through wire 35, mercury switch 34, wire 36, solenoid valve 38 and wire 31 back to another wire supplying power to the fan 4. As a result the solenoid valve 38 is opened to supply cooling fluid to the cooling coil l2 to reduce the space temperature. When the space temperature decreases below the predetermined value the mercury switch 34 is moved to an open position to break the circuit through the solenoid valve 30 whereupon'the supply of cooling fiuid to the cooling coil I2 is shut off. In this manner a constant temperature may be maintained within the space l8. Since the supply of power to the solenoid valve 38 is taken from the fan motor circuit" it is impossible to open the solenoid valve 38 unless the fan motor I4 is operating.

The supply of fresh air to the air conditioning chamber II is controlled by a fresh air,damper 48' and the supply of return air to the air conditioning chamber I I may be controlled by a return air damper 4|. These dampers 48 and 4| may be connected together by a link 42 so that as the fresh air damper 48 is moved to a closed position the return air damper 4| is moved to an open position and vice versa. The dampers 40 and 4| are operatedthrough a crank arm 43, a link 44 and a crank arm 45 by a proportioning motor 46 of the spring return or power failure type shown and described in Patent No. 2,032,658 granted to w. H. Gille on March 3, 1936. A spring 41 connected to the link 44 tends at all times to urge the dampers 48 and 4| to a position wherein the damper 48 is closed and the damper 4| is open.

The proportioning motor 46 may comprise a shaft 49 which operates the crank arm 45 driven through a reduction gear train 58 by a motor rotor 5|. The motor rotor 5| is controlled by three field windings 52, 53 and 54. The field winding 53 operates as a holding winding and has sufficient power to maintain the proportioning motor 46 in any of its adjusted positions against the action of the spring 41. The field winding 54 when energized along with the field winding 53 overcomes the spring 41 to move the damper 48 towards an open position and the damper 4| towards a closed position.' Field winding 52 is a bucking winding and when energized along with field winding 53, the holding action of the field winding 53 is neutralized and the spring 41 7 moves the proportioning motor 56 in adirection to close the fresh air damper 48 and open the return air damper 4|. If the supply of power to the three windings 52, 53 and 54 is interrupted the spring 41 will move the proportioning motor 46 to a position wherein the damper 48 is completely closed and the damper 4| is wide open. The shaft 49 also operates an abutment member 55 which is adapted to open limit switches 56 and 51 when the proportioning motor 46 is moved into either extreme position. The shaft 49 also operates a slider 58 with respect to a resistance element 59. The slider 58 and the resistance element 59 form a balancing potentiometer.

Proportioning motor 46 also includes a relay generally designated at 68. This relay comprises relay coils 6| and 62 for operating an armature 63. The armature 63 operates a switch arm 64 with respect to contacts 65 and 66. When the relay coil 6| is energized more than the relay coil 62, the switch arm 64 is moved into engagement with contact 65 and when the relay coil 62 is energized more than relay coil 6|, the switch arm 64 is moved into engagement with contact 66. When the relay coils 6| and 62 are equally energized the switch arm 64 is maintained spaced midway between the contacts 65 and 66.

Relay 68 is controlled by another relay generally designated at 68. This relay includes a relay coil 69 for operating a switch arm 18 with respect to contacts 1| and 12. When'the relay coil 69 is energized the switch arm 18 engages contact 1| and when the relay coil 69 is deenergized switch arm 18 engages contact 12.

Power is supplied to the relay 68 by means of a step-down transformer 14 having a primary 15 and a secondary 16. One end of the primary 15 is connected by a wire 11 to the switch 26 and the other end is connected by a wire 18 to the line wire 25. Therefore, when the switch 26 is closed the primary 15 is connected across the line wires 24 and 25 and the transformer 14 is energized. One end of the secondary 16 is connected by a wire19 to the left end of the relay coil 6| and the other end of the secondary 16 is connected by wires 88 and 8| to the right end of the relay coil 62. The other ends of the relay coils 6| and 62 are connected together and therefore the relay coils 6| and 62 are connected in series and across the secondary 16. The left end of the relay coil 6| is connected by a protective resistance 82, a wire 83, a variable resistance 84 and a wire 85 to the contact 12 of relay 68. The right end of the relay coil 62 is connected by a protective resistance 86 and a wire 81 to the contact 1|. The ends of the balancing potentiometer resistance element 59 are connected by wires 88 and 89 to the protective resistances 82 and 86 respectively. The junction of the relay coils 6| and 62 is connected by a wire 98 to the switch arm 18 of the relay 68 and by wires 98 and 9|, variable resistance 92 and wire 93 to the slider 58 of the balancing potentiometer.

A holding circuit is completed through the field winding 53 of the proportioning motor 56, this circuit being traced from the secondary 16 through wires 19, 95, 96, field Winding 53, wire 91, limit switch 51, wire 98, resistance 99 and wires I88, WI and 88 back to the secondary 16. Completion of this circuit energizes the field winding 53 to maintain the proportioning motor 46 in its adjusted position. Assume now that the relay coil 69 of the relay, 68 is energized so as to move the switch arm 18 into engagement with the contact 1|. By reason of the above wiring connections the relay coil 62 is substantially completely short-circuited to decrease the energization thereof and increase the energization of the relay coil 6| whereupon the switch arm 64 engages contact 65. This completes a circuit from the secondary I6 through wires I8 and 85, switch arm 64, contact 65, wire I02, field winding 54, wire I03, limit switch 56 and wires I04, IN and 80 back to the secondary I6. Both field windings 53 and 54 are energized to overcome the spring 41 and move the fresh air damper toward an open position and the return air damper 4| toward a closed position. This movement of the proportioning motor 46 also causes left-hand movement of the slider 58 to tend to rebalance the energizations of the relay coils 6| and 62. But since the relay coil 62 is substantially completely short-circuited the proportioning motor will be moved to an extreme position to open wide the damper 40 and close completely the damper 4|.

When the relay coil 68 of the relay 68 becomes deenergized the switch arm I0 engages the contact I2 to partially short-circuit the relaycoil 6| to decrease the energization thereof and increase the energization of the relay coil 62. Since the variable resistance 84 is in series with the contact I2 the relay coil 6| will not be completely short-circuited. The switch arm 64 is moved into engagement with the contact 66 to complete a circuit from the secondary I6 through wires I9 and 85, switch arm 64, contact 66, wire I05, field winding 52, wires I06 and 81, limit switch 51, wire 88, resistance 88 and wires I00, IN and 80 back to the secondary I6. Completion of this circuit energizes the field winding 52 and since the field winding 53 is also energized the holding action of the fieldwinding 53 is neutralized and the spring" 41 operates the proportioning motor 46 in the opposite direction 40 to move the fresh air damper 40 towards a closed position and the return air damper 4I towards an open position. Movement of the proportioning motor 46 in this manner also causes right hand movement of the slider 58 of the balancing potentiometer and when the slider 58 has moved sufliciently far to the right to rebalance the energizations of the relay coils 6| and 62 the switch arm 64 is moved out of engagement with the contact 65. This breaks the circuit through the bucking winding 52 and further operation of the proportioning motor 46 is arrested.

In this manner the proportioning motor 46 is operated to a position depending upon the resistance value of the resistance 84. By suitably adjusting the resistance value of the resistance 84 the minimum open position of the fresh air damper 40 may be adjusted. It follows then that when the relay 68 is pulled in the fresh air damper 40 is moved to a wide open position and 0 the return airdamper 4| is completely closed. vWhen the relay 68 drops out the fresh air damper 40 is moved to a minimum open position and the return air damper 4| is moved to a corresponding open position, the positions of the dampers 40 and 4| being determined by the resistance value of the variable resistance 84. Therefore, this provides a means for admitting at all times a minimum amount of fresh air to the air conditioning unit II in order to satisfy ventilating requirements. If the switch 26 is i opened the supply of power to the proportioning motor 46 is interrupted and the spring 41 completely closes the fresh air damper 48 and opens wide the return air damper 4|. Since the switch 26 also controls the operation of .the fan I3, the

fresh air damper 40 is completely closed when the fan I3 is stopped when the switch 26 is opened.

The relay 68 is in turn controlled by a relay I08 having an energizing coil I08 and a bucking coil H0. The two coils I08 and H0 control the operation of an armature III. The armature III operates switch arms H2 and H3 with respect to contacts H4 and H5 respectively. When the relay coil I08 is energized the switch arms H2 and H3 are moved into engagement with the contacts H4 and H5. When the relay coils I08 and H0 are simultaneously energized or when neither relay coil I08 and H0 is energized, the switch arms H2 and H3 are moved out of engagement with contacts H4 and H5 by means of springs, gravity or other means (not shown).

Power is supplied to the relay 68 by line wires II! and H8. When the relay I08 pulls inso as to move switch arm I I3 into engagement with contact II5 a circuit is completed from the line wire I" through switch II 8, wire I20, contact II5, switch arm II3, wires I2| and I22, relay coil 68 and wires I23 and I24 back to the other line wire II8. Therefore, when the relay I08 pulls in, the relay 68 is pulled in to operate the fresh air damper 40 to a wide open position and the return air damper 4| to a completely closed position. Opening of the switch II8 interrupts the supply of power to the relay 68 so that the relay 68 drops out, this moving the fresh air damper 40 to a minimum open position and the return air damper 4I to a corresponding position.

The relay I08 is controlled by a relay generally designated at. I26 and this relay may comprise series connected relay coils I21 and I28 for in- I fiu'encing an armature I28. The armature I28 operates a switch arm I30 with respect to spaced contacts I3I and I32. When the relay coil I2! is energized more than the relay coil I28, the switch arm I30 is moved into engagement with the contact I3I and when the relay coil I28 is energized more than the relay coil I21, theswitch arm I30 is moved into engagement with the contact I32.

When the relay coils I21 and I28 are equally energized the switch arm I30 assumes a; position spaced midway between the contacts I3I and I32. Power is supplied to the relays I88 and I26 by a step-down transformer I33 having a primary I34 and a secondary I35. The primary I34 is connected across the line wires III and I I8 when the switch H9 is closed. One end of the secondary I35 is connected by wires I 36 and I3'I to the left end of the relay coil I21 and the other end of the secondary I35 is connected by a wire I38 to the right end of the relay coil I28. Therefore, the

relay coils I21 and I 28 are connected across'the secondary I35 of the step-down transformer I33. The relay I26 is controlled by a potentiometer type humidity responsive controller I40, a potentiometer type temperature responsive controller I4I, an on and off type humidity responsive controller I42 and an on and ofi type temperature responsive controller I43. Although for purposes of illustration I have disclosed each of these temperature and relative humidity of the outdoor air.

The humidity responsive controller I40 may comprise a humidity responsive element I45 operating against the action of a spring I46 to move a slider I41 with respect to a resistance element I48. The slider I41 and the resistance element I48 form a control potentiometer. Upon an increase in outdoor relative humidity the slider I41 is moved to the left and upon a decrease it is moved to the right. For purposes of illustration it is assumed that the slider I41 is moved to the extreme left-hand position when the outdoor relative humidity is 70%, and to the extreme right-hand position when they outdoor relative humidity is The temperature responsive controller I4I may comprise a bellows I49 connected by a capillary tube I50 to a bulb Nil located in the fresh air duct I1. The bulb I5I con- 20 tains a volatile fluid and therefore the bellows I49 expands and contracts in accordance with variations in outdoor temperatures. The bellows I49 operates against the action of a spring I52 to move a slider I53 with respect to a resistance element I54. The slider I53 and the resistance element I54 form a. control potentiometer. Upon an increase in outdoor dry bulb temperature the slider I53 moves to the left and upon a decrease it moves to the right. For purposes of illustration it is assumed that the slider 53 is moved to the extreme left position when the outdoor dry bulb temperature reaches 88 and is moved to the extreme right position when the outdoor dry bulb temperature decreases to 68.

5 The on and off type humidity responsive controller I42 comprises a humidity responsive element I55 acting against a spring I56 for operating a mercury switch I51. The mercury switch I51 is provided with left electrodes I58 and I59 and right electrodes I60 and I6I.' The inner electrodes I59 and I60 are connected together. Normally the mercury of the mercury switch I51 bridges the electrodes I60 and I6I but when the outdoor relative humidity rises to 70% the mercury bridges the electrodes I58 and I59. The on and off type temperature responsive controller I43 may comprise a bellows I62 connected by a capillary tube I63 to a bulb I64 containing a volatile fluid and located in the fresh air duct I1.

The bellows I62 operates against the action of the tension spring I65 to move a mercury switch I66. The mercury switch I66 is provided with left electrodes I61 and I68 and right electrodes I69 and I10. The inner electrodes I68 and I69 are connected together. Normally the mercury in the mercury switch I66 bridges the electrodes I61 and I68 but when the outdoor dry bulb temperature decreases to the mercury bridges the electrodes I69 and I10.

0 The left end of the relay coil I21 is connected by a protective resistance I12 and wires I13, I14, I15 and I16 to the left ends of the resistance elements I48 and I54. The left end of the relay coil I21 is also connected by wires I11, I18 and 5 I19 to the electrode I58 of the humidity responsive controller I42 and to the electrode I10 of the temperature responsive controller I43. The right end of the relay coil I28 is connected by a protective resistance I80 and wires I8I, I82 and I83 to the right ends of the resistance elements I48 and I54. The junction'of the relay coils I21 and I28 is connected by a wire I84 to the two inner electrodes I68 and I69 of the mercury switch I63. The left electrode I61 of the mercury switch I66 15 s connected by a wire I85 to the two inner electemperature of 78.

trodes I59 and I60 of the mercury switch I51. The right electrode I6I of the mercury switch I51 is connected by a wire I86 to the slider I53 of the temperature responsive controller I 4I. The slider I53 is in turn connected by a wire I81, a variable resistance I88 and a wire I89 to the slider I41 of the humidity responsive controller I40.

With the parts in the position shown in the drawing and particularly with the mercury switches I51 and I66 in the positions shown, it is seen that the control potentiometer of the humidity responsive controller I40 and the control potentiometer of the temperature responsive controller I are connected in parallel with the series connected relay coils I21 and I28 and across the secondary I35. The slider I41 is in a position indicating a relative humidity of 45%, and the slider I53 is in a position indicating a dry bulb By referring to a standard psychometric chart it is seen that a dry bulb temperature of 78 and a relative humidity value of 45% indicates a wet bulb temperature of substantially 63. It is also noted that a relative humidity of 70% and a dry bulb temperature of 68 gives a wet bulb temperature of substantially 63 and further that a relative humidity of 20% and a dry bulb temperature of 88 gives a wet bulb temperature of substantially 63. For a given dry bulb temperature a decrease in relative humidity denotes a decrease in wet bulb temperature and vice versa an increase in relative humidity denotes an increase in wet bulb temperature. Likewise, fora given relative humidity an increase in dry bulb temperature denotes an increase in wet bulb temperature and a decrease in dry bulb temperature denotes a decrease in wet bulb temperature. By assuming the above limits it is seen that the two control potentiometers actually indicate wet bulb temperatures.

As pointed out above, the sliders I41 and I53 are in a position to indicate a wet bulb temperature of substantially 63. Upon a decrease in relative humidity or upon a decrease in'dry bulb temperature which denotes a decrease in wet bulb temperature the sliders I41 or I53 move to the right to partially short-circuit the relay coil I28 to decrease the energization thereof and increase the energization of the relay coil I21. As a result, the switch arm I30 is moved into engagement with the contact I3I to complete a circuit from the secondary I35 through contact I3I, switch arm I30, wires I9I' and I92, relay coil I09 and wire I36 back to the secondary I35. Completion of this circuit energizes the relay coil I09 to move switch arms I I2 and I I3 into engagement with the contacts H4 and H5. As pointed out above, the fresh air damper 40 is thereupon moved to a wide open position and the return air damper 4I is moved to a closed position. Therefore, when the outdoor wet bulb temperature is below 63 the fresh air damper 40 is wide open to admit all outdoor air to the air conditioning unit II. Movement of the switch arm I I 2 into engagement with the contact I I4 completes a maintaining circuit for the relay coil I09 which may be traced from the secondary I35 through wire I93, switch arm II2, contact-II4, wire I92, relay coil I09 and wire I36 back to thesecondary I35. This circuit maintains the relay coil I09 energized even though the switch arm I30 shall move out of engagement with the contact I3I.

When the wet bulb temperature of the outdoor air increases above 63 either the slider. I53 or the slider I 41 is moved to the left in response to an increase in dry bulb temperature or an increase in relative humidity to partially short-circuit the relay coil I21 to decrease the energization thereof and increase the energization of the relay coil I28. This causes movement of the switch 5 arm I30 into engagement with the contact I32 to complete a circuit from the secondary I35 through wire I93, switch arm II2, contact Ill, wire ISI, switch arm I30, contact I32, wire I94 and bucking coil IIO back to the secondary I35. Completion of this circuit energizes the bucking coil IIO to neutralize the action of the energizing coil I 09 whereupon the switch arms I I2 and I I! are moved out of engagement with their contacts Ill and H5. This drops out the relay 50 to move the fresh air damper 40 to a minimum position and the return air damper to a corresponding maximum position. Therefore, when the outdoor wet bulb temperature is above 63 substantially all of the air delivered to the air conditioning unit is return air except for a small amount of fresh air which is utilized for ventilation purposes. Since, as pointed out above, the return air from the space I usually has a wet bulb temperature of about 63 it is more economical to use return air for air conditioning purposes when the outdoor wet bulb temperature is above 63. But if the outdoor wet bulb temperature is below 63' it is more economical to use outdoor air for air conditioning purposes. As is known, the total amount of heat in the air which must be removed is determined by the wet bulb temperature of the air. The control mechanism of this invention, therefore, provldes an automatic means for selecting outdoor air when it is more economical to utilize outdoor air and to select return air when it is more economical to use return air.

If the outdoor relative humidity should increase to 70% the mercury switch I51 is tilted to break the circuit to the sliders I53 and I41 of '40 the potentiometer type controllers whereby these controllers are rendered inoperative to control the control system. Also when the outdoor relative humidity increases to 70% the electrodes I50 and I50 are bridged to substantially completely short- 45 circuit the relay coil I21 which drops out the relays I08 and 58 to move the fresh air damper 40 to a minimum position and the return air damper I to a corresponding position. Therefore, even though the wet bulb temperature of the outdoor 50 air is below 63 the fresh air damper 40 is moved to a minimum position so that substantially all return air is utilized in case the outdoor relative humidity should increase above 70%. In other words, a relative humidity high limit control is 55 provided.

If the outdoor temperature should decrease to 65 the mercuryswitch I50 is tilted to break the circuit to the sliders I53 and I41 of the proportioning type controllers whereby these controllers 0 are rendered inoperative to control the control system. Also the mercury is caused to bridge the contacts I59 and I10 to substantially completely short-circuit the relay coil I 21. This drops out the relays I00 and 58 to move the fresh air damper 40 to a minimum open position and the return air damper 4| to a corresponding position. Therefore, even though the outdoor wet bulb temperature is below 63 the fresh air damper 40 is moved to a minimum position when the outdoor 70 dry bulb temperature decreases to 65. Under these circumstances substantially all return air is utilized when the outdoor dry bulb temperature is below 65.

By reason of the above arrangement substan- 75 tially all fresh air is utilized for air conditioning" it is usually more economical to utilize outdoor air for air conditioning purposes than returnair.

If, however, the wet bulb temperature of the out-' door air should increase above 63it would be more economical to utilize return air for air conditioning purposes and therefore the fresh air damper 40 is moved to a minimum open position. If the outdoor relative humidity should increase above 'Z0% or if the outdoor dry bulb temperature should decrease below 65 the fresh air damper I0 is moved to a minimum open position so that substantially all return air is utilized for air conditioning purposes. In other words, the fresh air damper 40 is controlled by outdoor wet bulb temperature and is safeguarded by a high limit relative humidity control and a low limit dry bulb temperature control.

If it be desired to control a plurality of fresh air dampers for admitting fresh air to a plurality of air conditioning units it is possible to do so with only a single set of controls. A second air conditioning unit generally shown at H, and since this air conditioning unit and the control equipment associated therewith is exactly the same as the air conditioning unit II and its associated equipment, like reference characters primed have been utilized for like parts. Therefore, a further description of this air conditioning unit and its associated mechanism is not rethis second air conditioning unit are controlled by a relay 50', the operating coil 69' thereof being connected in parallel with the operating coils 69 of the relay 60 by wires I95 and I01. Therefore, the relays 50 and 68' are simultaneously pulled in or dropped out in accordance with the outdoor wet bulb temperature. In this manner a single set of controllers may be utilized for controlling a plurality of fresh air and return air dampers.

From the above it is seen that I have provided a novel control arrangement for determining whether fresh air or return air should be utilized for air conditioning purposes. By reason of this invention the most economical mode of operation of an air conditioning system is at all times assured.

Although for purposes of illustration I have shown one form of my invention other forms thereof may become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to this specification and therefore this invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims and prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an air conditioning system, the combination of damper means for controlling the supply of outside air to an enclosure, means responsive and means responsive to a predetermined high relative humidity value of the outside air for operating said damper means to a minimum air supplying position regardless of the wet bulb temperature of. the outside air 2. In an. air conditioning system, the combination oi damper means for eentrolling the supply of outside air to an enclosure, means responsive to outside atmospheric conditions for operatin the damper means to a maximum air supplying position when the wet bulb temperature of the outside air is less than a predetermined value and for operating the damper means to a minimum air supplying position when the wet bulb temperature is greater than said predetermined value, and means responsive to a predetermined low dry bulb temperature value of the outside air for operating said damper means to a minimum air supplying position regardless of the wet bulb temperature of the outside air.

3. In an air conditioning system, the combination of damper means for controlling the supply of outside air to an enclosure, means responsive to outside atmospheric conditions for operating the damper means to a maximum air supplying position when the wet bulb temperature of the outside air is less than a predetermined value and for operating the damper means to a minimum air supplying position when the wet bulb temperature is greater than said predetermined value, means responsive to a predetermined high relative humidity value of the outside air for operating said damper means to a minimum air supplying position regardless of the wet bulb temperature of the outside, and means responsive to a predetermined low dry bulb temperature value of the outside air for operating said damper means to a minimum air supplying position regardless of the wet bulb temperature of the outside air.

4. In an air conditioning system for a space, an air conditioningv chamber for conditioning air to be delivered to the space, means including fan means for delivering outside air into the chamber and for delivering conditioned air to the space, damper means movable between a wide open position and a closed position in control of the delivery of outside air to the chamber, motor means for operating said damper means, means responsive to the wet bulb temperature of the outside air for controlling said motor means to open wide said damper means when the wet bulb temperature is below a predetermined value and to move said damper means to an intermediate position when the wet bulb temperature is abovea predetermined value. and means for causing movement of the damper means to a closed position as an incident to stopping of the fan means irrespective of the outside wet bulb temperature.

5. In an air conditioning system for a space, an air conditioning chamberior conditioning air to be delivered to the space, means including fan means for delivering outside air into the chamber and for delivering conditioned air to the space, damper means movable between a wide open position and a closed position in control of the delivery of outside air to the chamber, motor. means for operating said damper means, means responsive to the wet bulb temperature of the outside air for controlling said motor means to open wide said damper means when the wet bulb temperature is below a predetermined value and to move said damper means to an intermediateposition when the wet bulb temperature is above a predetermined value, means responsive to the relative humidity of the outside air also in control of said motor means tomove the damper means to an intermediate position when the relative humidity increases to a predetermined value regardless of the wet bulb temperature of the outside air, and means for causing movement of the damper means to a closed position as an incident to stopping of the fan means irrespective of the outside wet bulb temperature and humidity.

. 6. In an air conditioning system for a space, an air conditioning chamber for conditioning air to be delivered to the space, means including fan means for delivering outside air into the chamber and for delivering conditioned air to the space, damper means movable between a wide open position and a closed position in control of the delivery of outside air to the chamber, motor means for operating said damper means, means responsive to the wet bulb temperature of the outside air for controlling said motor means to open wide said damper means when the wet bulb temperature is below a predetermined value and to move said damper means to an intermediate position when the wet bulb temperature is above a predetermined value, means responsive to the dry bulb temperature of the outside air also in control of said motor means to move the damper means to an intermediate position when the dry bulb temperature decreases to a predetermined value regardless of the wet bulb temperature of the outside air, and. means for causing movement of the damper means to a closed position as an incident to stopping of the fan means irrespective of the outside wet bulb temperature and dry bulb temperature.

7. In an air conditioning system for a space, an air conditioning chamber for conditioning air to be delivered to the space, means including fan means for delivering outside air into the chamber and for delivering conditioned air to the space, damper means movable between a wide open position and a closed position in control of the delivery of outside air to the chamber, motor means for operating said damper means, means responsive to the wet bulb temperature of the outside air for controlling said motor means to open wide said damper means when the wet bulb temperature is below a predetermined value and to move said damper means to an intermediate position when the wet bulb temperature is above a predetermined value, means for causing movement of the damper means to a closed position as an incident to stopping of the fan means irrespective of the outside wet bulb temperature, and adjusting means for determining the intermediate position to which the damper means is moved.

8. In an air conditioning system for a plurality of spaces or zones, an air conditioning chamber for each space for conditioning air to be delivered to its associated space, means including fan means for each chamber for delivering outside air into its associated chamber and for delivering conditioned air to its associated space, damper means for each chamber movable between a wide open position and a closed position in control of the delivery of outside air to its associated chamber, motor means for each damper means for operating the same, means including a single set of control means for controlling all of said motor means,.said single set of control means-including means responsive to the wet bulb temperature of the outside air to open all of said dampei means when the wet bulb temperature is below a predetermined value and to close all of said damper means when the wet bulb temperature is above the predetermined value, and means for closing selectively any of the damper means regardless of the wet bulb temperature of the outside air.

of spaces or zones, an air conditioning chamber for each space for conditioning air to be delivered to its associated space, means including fan means for each chamber for delivering outside air into its associated chamber and for delivering conditioned air to its associated space, damper means for each chamber movable between a wide open position and a closed position in control of the delivery of outside air to its associated chamber, motor means for each damper means for operating the same, means including a single set of control means for controlling all of said motor means, said single set of control means including means responsive to the wet bulb teml5 perature of the outside air to open all of said damper means when the wet bulb temperature is below a predetermined value and to close all of said damper means when the wet bulb temperature is above the predetermined value, and means for causing closing movement of any of the damper means as an incident to stopping of its associated fan means regardless of the wet bulb temperature of the outside air.

10. In an air conditioning system for a plurality of spaces or zones, an air conditioning chamber for each space for conditioning air to be delivered to its associated space, means including fan means for each chamber for delivering outside air into its associated chamber and for delivering conditioned air to its associated space,

damper means for each chamber movable between a wide open position and a closed position in control of the delivery of outside air to its associated chamber, motor means for each damper means for operating the same, means including a single set of control means for controlling all of said motor means, said single set of control means including means responsive to the wet bulb temperature of the outside air to open all of said damper means when the wet bulb temperature is below a predetermined value and to close all of said damper means when the wet bulb temperature is above the predetermined value, and means responsive to the dry bulb temperature of the outside air for closing all of the damper means when the dry bulb temperature decreases to a predetermined value regardless of the wet bulb temperature of the outside air.

11. In an air conditioning system, the combination of damper means for controlling the supply of outside air to an enclosure, control means responsive to the dry bulb temperature of the outside air, control means responsive to the relative humidity of the outside air, means for correlating the control functions of the dry bulb temperature responsive controT means and the humidity responsive control meansin terms of wet bulb temperature, means controlled by said last mentioned means for operating said damper so means to a maximum air supplying position when the wet bulb temperature of the outside air is less than a predetermined value and for operating said damper means to a minimum air supplying position when the wet bulb temperature is greater than said predetermined value, and means responsive to a predetermined high relative humidity or the outside air for operating said damper means to a minimum air supplying position regardless of the wet bulb temperature of the outside air. 4

12. In an air conditioning system, the combination or damper means for controlling the supply as: outside air to an enclosure, control means responsive to the dry bulb temperature of the outside air, control means responsive to the relative humidity of the outside air, means for correlating the control functions of the dry bulb temperature responsive control means and the humidity responsive control means in terms of wet bulb temperature, means controlled by said last 5 mentioned means for operating said damper means to a maximum air supplying position when the wet bulb temperature of the outside air'is less than a predetermined value and for operating said damper means to a minimum air supply- 10 ing position when the wet bulb temperature is greater than said predetermined value, and means responsive to a predetermined low dry bulb temperature value of the outside air for operating said damper means to a minimum air supplying 15 position regardless of the wet bulb temperature of the outside air.

13. In an air conditioning system, the combination of damper means for controlling the supply of outside air to an enclosure, control means re- 20 sponsive to the dry bulb temperature of the outside air, control means responsive to the relative humidity of the outside air, means for correlating the control functions of the dry bulb temperature responsive control means and the hu- 25 midity responsive control means in terms of wet bulb temperature, means controlled by said last mentioned means for operating said damper means to a maximum air supplying position when the wet bulb temperature of the outside air is less 30 than a predetermined value and for operating said damper means to a minimum air supplying position when the wet bulb temperature is greater than said predetermined value, means responsive to a predetermined high relative humidity of the 35 outside air for operating said damper means to a minimum air supplying position regardless of the wet bulb temperature of the outside air, and means responsive to a predetermined low dry bulb temperature value of the outside air for operating 40 said damper means to a minimum air supplying position regardless of the wet bulb temperature of the outside air.

14. In an air conditioning system for a plurality of spaces or zones, an air conditioning 45 chamber for each space for conditioning air to be delivered to its associated space, means including fan means for each chamber for delivering outside air into its associated chamber and for delivering conditioned air to its associated space, 50 damper means for each chamber movable between a wide open position and a closed position in control of the delivery of outside air to its associated chambe motor means for each damper means for operating the same, means including a single 55 set of control means for controlling all of said motor means, said single set of control means includingmeans responsive to the wet bulb temperature of the outside air to open all of said damper means when the wet bulb temperature is 6 below a predetermined value and to close all of said damper means when the wet bulb temperature is above the predetermined value, and means responsive to the relative humidity 01 the outside air ior closing all of the damper means when 65 the relative humidity increases to a predetermined value regardless of the wet bulb temperature of the outside air.

15. The method of controlling the supply of outside air to an enclosure for air conditioning purposes, comprising the steps of, measuring the dry bulb temperature or the outside air, measuring the relative humidity of the outside air, cumulatively correlating the measurements of the dry bulb temperature and the relative hu- 7 .midity of the outside air in terms of total heat, and decreasing the supply of outside air when the cumulative measurement in terms of total heat .of the dry bulb temperature and the relative humidity of the outside air rises above a predetermined value.

16. The method of controlling the supply of outside air to an enclosure for air conditioning purposes, comprising the steps of, measuring within predetermined limits the dry bulb temperature of the outside air, measuring within predetermined limits the relative humidity of the outside air, cumulatively correlating the measurements of the dry bulb temperature and the relative humidity of the outside air within said predetermined limits and in terms of total heat, decreasing the supply of outside air when the cumulative measurement in terms of total heat of the dry bulb temperature and the relative humidity of the outside air rises above a predetermined value within said limits, and decreasing the supply of outside air when the relative humidity of the outside air increases beyond said predetermined limits regardless of the cumulative measurement. 1 17. The method of controlling the supply outside air to an enclosure for air conditioning purposes, comprising the steps of, measuring within predetermined limits the dry bulb temperature of the outside air, measuring within predetermined limits the relative humidity of the outside air, cumulatively correlating the measurements of the dry bulb temperature and the relative humidity of the outside air within said predetermined limits and in terms of total heat, decreasing the supply of outside air when the cumulative measurement in terms of total heat of the dry bulb temperature and the relative humidity of the outside air rises above a predetermined value within said limits, and decreasing the supply of outside air when either the relative humidity of the outside air increases beyond or the dry bulb temperature of the outside air decreases beyond said predetermined limits regardless of the cumulative measurement.

JOHN E. HAINES. 

